FEEL THE LOVE
HANNAH STEPHNESON ROUNDS UP ROMANTIC READS TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
WHETHER it’s a historical saga, a torrid bodice-ripper or a contemporary tale of love in our times, there are lots of romantic reads out there to enjoy with your valentine.
Here are 11 titles to tempt you as the season of love begins.
LAST CHANCE IN PARIS by Lynda Marron (Eriu, February 8)
From a new voice in Irish fiction comes this story following one couple’s make-or break trip to Paris as they try to save their marriage.
Other characters with emotional issues who emerge in this romantic city include a student from Boston who is torn between love and duty, a Hollywood film producer looking back with regret at his life and a Ukrainian refugee trying to protect her older sister.
ISLAND IN THE SUN by Katie Fforde (Century, February 15)
Bestselling author Katie Fforde recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and is a force to be reckoned with for her uplifting tales of romance – so fans should bag a copy of her latest.
It finds Cass on an unusual photography project in the Caribbean where she falls for her travel companion Ranulph, who is in search of rare stone carvings Cass’s father wants her to photograph.
ONE LOVE
by Matt Cain (Headline Review) From writer, broadcaster, commentator and ambassador for Manchester Pride, Matt Cain, comes this uplifting tale of Danny and Guy, who become friends at university.
Some 20 years later, when they are both single for the first time in their adult lives, they return to the Gay Village of Manchester Pride.
It is there that Danny plans to share his secret that he has always been in love with Guy.
Told in two timelines, 2002 and 2022, the novel highlights the challenges they faced and why they never got together in the first place.
THE BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood (Sphere, February 6)
From the bestselling author of The
Love Hypothesis comes this paranormal romance involving an unlikely and dangerous alliance between an Alpha werewolf and a Vampyre bride.
The titular character surrenders herself to the Weres, her mortal enemies to keep the peace – and to fight for the only thing she’s ever cared about...
THE MEMORY OF US
by Dani Atkins
(Head of Zeus (Aria), February 15) Three-times winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association award, Dani Atkins draws on her own experience of suffering a heart attack during lockdown to bring readers this story about a woman whose own cardiac arrest results in false memories of a man named Sam, and a love story that never existed.
Enter her sister, who seeks assistance from a local vet, who looks uncannily like Sam, and together they set out to trigger true memories.
ENCHANTED HILL by Emily Bain Murphy (Union Square & Co)
Glitz and glamour in 1930s Prohibition Hollywood is the setting for this tale of secondchance romance with a dose of mystery and intrigue.
The story centres around Cora McCavanagh, an aspiring PI posing as a maid at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd’s legendary estate.
In between champagne-fuelled parties Cora searches for damning evidence for a high-profile client.
But when a romantic figure from her past reappears, new desires emerge and the stakes are raised, as one false move could cause both their secret identities to come crashing down.
A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE
by Tia Williams (Quercus Publishing)
When Ricki Wilde the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty is invited to rent the bottom floor of a Harlem brownstone, she jumps at the fresh start, leaving behind wealth and chaotic romantic decisions to open a flower shop. But then a handsome stranger knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.
Fans of Williams’ hit novel Seven Days in June will be smitten by this.
ONCE UPON A LEAP YEAR by Anna Bell (HQ)
From the author of Note To Self comes this enjoyable rom-com, which follows the paths of two leapyear babies who meet on a trip to Calais.
It soon becomes clear there’s a spark between them, but at the time both are with other partners.
The story follows them every four years on their birthday over the next two decades, as they share each other’s significant moments – weddings, babies, jobs, family illnesses – and fall in love.
BIG DATE ENERGY by Bethany Rutter (HarperFiction)
Journalist and blogger Bethany Rutter, who writes about fat bodies, plus-size fashion and body politics, brings us this steamy queer rom-com.
It follows serial monogamist Fran who has waited years to be single and, fresh from a break-up, is determined to date as many people as possible.
That is until Ivy, the one-who-gotaway, shows up unexpectedly and throws Fran’s plan off course.
THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR
by Jill Mansell (Headline Review) Set in a picturepostcard Cornish village, there’s a wedding about to take place, but like all good romantic tales, nothing goes quite as planned.
The story focuses on three main characters – bride-to-be Freya, wedding guest Lottie and Ruby, the vicar’s wife – and how their characters interconnect.
Along the way there are secrets and lies but ultimately, it’s a feelgood, funny read.
ONE DAY by David Nicholls (Hodder & Stoughton)
With a new tie-in cover to the forthcoming Netflix miniseries adaptation starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, this is a timeless classic.
It sees Dexter and Emma meeting for the first time on the night of their graduation and follows their paths in life, their ups and downs, both together and apart, somehow remaining the most important people in each other’s lives.
Sheer magic and certainly worth revisiting.
The Netflix series is available to stream from February 8.